USU Alumni Spotlight - Pete Thomas and Jacqueline Stewart

Pete Thomas and Jacqueline Stewart are strong supporters of education and believe it is one of the fundamental elements for improving individual lives as well as all of society. Pete grew up in Malad City, Idaho before graduating from Utah State University Magna Cum Laude with a BSEE. Upon graduation Pete moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he spent 14 years in Silicon Valley.

Pete started his venture capital career in 1982 and in 1985 became a general partner with Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), where he was actively involved in startup company investments. He has enjoyed the process of building successful companies and has been a lead investor and a member of the Board of Directors of many high technology companies including Altera, Atmel, Cirrus Logic, FormFactor, Nellcor, and @Road. Pete is presently a Managing Director with ATA Ventures, a venture firm he co founded in 2004. Pete and his partners invest in young startup companies in the Information Technology market space.

In 2005 Pete served as a participant in the College of Engineering engineer-In-Residence program. Pete also serves on the Utah State University Foundation Board. In 2006, Pete and Jackie made a significant financial contribution to the USU Engineering College to assist with the completion of the new Engineering Building that is under construction with completion planned for 2008.

Pete and Jackie enjoy their home in Woodside, CA. whenever time permits, they also enjoy international travel. They have interests in the arts and enjoy the various cultures of the world. They are both active in philanthropic activities with Jackie taking the lead in exploring and assisting in programs of various organizations.

Aggie wins Superbowl

Mike Waufle is in his fourth season as the Giants' defensive line coach, a defensive line that played a near perfect game en route to a 17-14 victory in Superbowl XLII. A veteran who is in his 29th season of coaching, Waufle became a member of the Giants' staff on Jan. 20, 2004.

From 1980-84, he was an assistant at Utah State, working one season as the secondary coach, two as the offensive line coach and two as the defensive line coach. He graduated from Utah State in 1979 and received the Scholastic Athletic Excellence Award while serving as captain of the football team that produced 15 professional football players fro USU.

A Call for Nominations

The USU Alumni association is requesting name suggestions for our upcoming awards and programs. We are currently looking for nominations for:

To see the criteria for each award and past recipients Click Here. Or to submit a nomination Click Here. For consideration, please email nominations no later than March 1. For more information contact the Alumni Office at 1-800-291-2586

Aggie Undergrads Present Research on Utah's Capitol Hill

After viewing research posters presented by Utah State University students during the Jan. 25 Undergraduate Research Day on Utah's Capitol Hill, USU President Stan Albrecht admitted he'd hate to be an undergrad competing with today's students.
FULL STORY>>

Three Great Gifts for Utah State University

Utah State University had a record year in fundraising thanks to many generous donations from givers at all levels. USU President Stan L. Albrecht announced in March 2007 that the university would launch a comprehensive campaign with a goal of raising $200 million to fund people, programs and places at the university. Now, nine months into the campaign, the outpouring of support has exceeded all expectations.FULL STORY>>

Fourth annual Jazz Night at the Sky Club

Utah State University's Skyroom Restaurant will be reminiscent of a 1930's jazz night club Feb. 15 and 16 for the fourth annual Jazz Night At The Sky Club. The evening includes elegant dining, jazz music and dancing. All profit will go to fund the Larry Smith Jazz Scholarship. A Student Dance Only night will be held Feb. 14.

Tickets are $38, and are available at the USU Ticket Office in the Smith Spectrum until Feb. 11. The University Inn is offering a Valentine's overnight package that includes two tickets to the show, a refreshing night stay in a comfortable room and a hot catered breakfast the next morning. A package for two is $149.95, before tax, and can be reserved at the University Inn & Conference Center toll free at 800-231-5634.

For more information about Jazz Night at the Sky Club, contact Walker Stahle at 435-797-0075. The production is a combined effort of USU's Music Department, the Skyroom Restaurant, USU Catering and University Inn & Conference Center.

For more information, go to utahstateaggies.com and click on the Big Blue Scholarship Fund link on the left hand side of the page
To make a reservation, contact: Cherie Child at 435-797-BLUE (2583) before February 29!!

Morrill gets Utah State coaching record

LOGAN, Utah -- All Stew Morrill wanted to do when he was hired by Utah State was have enough success to keep his job.

Ten years later, Morrill has more wins than any other Aggie coach. Morrill passed E. Lowell Romney with his 226th coaching victory at Utah State when the Aggies beat Boise State 82-78 Thursday night. "When I came here, I kept telling myself 'I can't fail here. I can't come home and fail," Morrill said. "Now it will be harder for people to say I failed."

Jaycee Carroll scored 29 points and almost joined his coach in the Utah State record book. Carroll need(ed) just two more points to break the career scoring record at Utah State. "That would have been great if Jaycee would have broken the record, too. Then they could have cut my ceremony by 90 percent and share the accolades," Morrill said.

Carroll came close to joining him in the record book despite not scoring his first points of the game until 7:50 remained in the first half. He finished 9-for-14 and scored 15 on 3-pointers.

Carroll should have his moment on Saturday. He let Morrill have the spotlight Thursday. "Coach talked to me in practice the other day and said, 'I won't worry about it if you won't," Carroll said.

Morrill is 226-80 at Utah State and has a career record of 444-218. Morrill also coached Montana and Colorado State and has just one losing season in his career.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press)

Carroll becomes Aggies' all-time leading scorer as USU beats Idaho

January 19th, Jaycee Carroll became Utah State's career scoring leader on his first basket of the game, passing Greg Grant who tallied 2,127 points. Only three players in Utah State history have scored more than 2,000 points, Wayne Estes was the other.

Carroll broke the scoring mark with 13:35 to play in the first half on a 3-point shot, his first of two consecutive 3-pointers and 3-of-4 in the game.

Carroll currently leads the WAC in scoring at 21.5 points per game, as well as field goals made and free-throw percentage and is number 2 in 3-pointers made and 3-pointers percentage.

Travel Opportunities

LEGENDS OF SIAM: THAILAND & CAMBODIA

February 13 - 25, 2008

How does one describe "Legends of Siam?" Visions of ancient millennial temples, the timeless chants of Buddhist monks, flower markets, narrow canals and waterways, cuisine that bursts with flavor, shopping bargains galore, hill tribes clinging to traditional lifestyles, colorful costumes and festivals, floating down a jungle river in a long-tail boat stopping at remote villages, a real life setting that would be perfect for an Indiana Jones movie, and the "King and I," all grace your imagination. Thailand is a peaceful nation and has not experienced wars or political unrest for centuries, preserving the culture, architectural wonders and beauty of this ancient and beautiful land. An added highlight will be the opportunity to visit with USU Alumni in Bangkok. You begin to realize this is no ordinary adventure. This is one of those extraordinary, life-changing experiences. This is an adventure for "travelers," not for mere "tourists."